Thursday, October 8, 2009

Is it really about grace?

For some time now, God has been prodding me to blog here about grace. To be honest, life is so incredibly crazy full with homeschooling my 10 kiddos, bible study, fellowship with the King, ministry work, keeping house, shopping, house keeping, etc. that my time to blog takes a back seat.

This morning after my time of fellowship with the Lord again, I once again had that distinct thought to blog here again on grace.

So, I guess I need to follow thru on what God is clearly pushing me forward to share, eh? Lord Jesus, may my words be acceptable to You!

My church is studying the book of Romans for bible study. Awesome, amazing stuff in the book of Romans! I am thoroughly enjoying the study and learning so much!

Last night, we studied Romans chapter 10 & 11.....( some of my favorite chapters in the entire book) .......

This passage jumped out at me and I knew I needed to share it here.

" And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace otherwise work is no longer work. " - Romans 11:6If we believe we are saved by grace + _________ ( fill in the blank) then it's no longer grace, friends.

Abraham, the "father of the Jews" was justified by God because of His faith, not because of his good works.

" For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. " Romans 4:2-3

" If" Abraham had been justified by "his works" he has nothing to boast about before God.

" Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness." -- Romans 4:4 & 5

If we are saved by "works" or by "grace + works" then the wages of our works is not counted as grace. The wages of our works then are counted as "debt". The whole awesome amazing thing about grace is that it has nothing to do with our works... but on the whole entire work, life, and blood of JESUS Christ the Messiah!Abraham was made right with God even before he was circumcised. It had nothing to do with circumcision and "works". Romans 3:10

As a born again believer, I am made right with God thru my faith and belief in the *work* Jesus did . More specifically, the work He did on Calvary.It has nothing to do with my good works. Sure, God cares about our good works. The purpose of our good works was clearly defined by Jesus when he said :

"By this is my Father glorified, when you bear much fruit."John 15:8

Our "fruit" or "good works" are to bring glory and honor to God. Not to seek favors or to gain something from God, and definitely not to be able to "gain" or "work out" where we will end up in the eternities.

Jesus worked out our salvation on Calvary.

His blood is what justifies us.

" Since we have now been justified by His blood. " Romans 5:9 Grace is not grace if we add works or anything else to it.

It is solely the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that saves us, and allows us access us to the throne of God to live eternally is His presence.

Anything else, simply put.... is not grace.

That's the message I have today here for those who stop by and read. That is what God has led me to share. I hope it leads you to think deeply about grace... for those of you who already understand how awesome and amazing His grace is, I say to you, Praise God.. and to those of you who are still wondering if the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is enough... I say to you, YES, YES, YES! His blood is enough.

10 comments:

Yes. Strictly by grace we are saved. Works/fruit are the way we are known as true followers. If the spirit of God is truly within us, our lives will reflect that BY the change in us...but that has nothing to do with what saves us.

I just think that it can get a little tricky when works are totally forgotten. I think that's what it means when it says that "faith without works is dead". If you truly have faith, then actions naturally follow. They aren't something to be conjured up, they happen by the pure nature of the Spirit that lives within us.

But would you like evidence, you empty fellow,that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. (NET, emphasis added)

I have the same question that Anonymous had (but I'm not the same person). When I read what James had to say, or when I read Hebrews 11, where faith is always put in the context of works, it's hard for me to believe that works play no role in the Christian life.

Good works are important in the Christian faith. Our good works are to glorify our Father in Heaven. The Lord himself said that.

" Herein is my Father glorified, when you bear much fruit." John 15:8

" Let your light so shine before all men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in Heaven." Matt 5:16

The purpose of our good works as it states in the Bible is to "glorify God".

The good works or "fruit" Christians have are as a result of our saved state. It is a result of the work of Christ in our lives... the process of sanctification... becoming like the Lord Jesus produces good fruit, and yes Jesus wants lots of it!

The bible does not say that good works are required for salvation. No, it clearly states that we are "saved by grace not of works, lest we boast, it is a gift of God." Ephesians 2:8 & 9

We are justified, saved by faith not works.

Works are important, but not to gain "salvation" or a place in heaven. That place is secured by the shed blood of Christ Jesus.

My good fruit or good works are specifically for the sole purpose of glorifying God.

What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work, but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted to him for righteousness. Romans 4:1-5

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

" Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,.. and having been justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." ~ Titus 3:5,7

"Yours Truly"

Who am I and what is this blog about?

Hello & welcome. Thank you for taking time to stop by and for reading my blog. My name is gloria and I spent 19 yrs as a faithful & active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or more commonly known as the "Mormon Church". In the fall of 2007, I completely surrendered my life to my Lord , King Jesus. Since that time the Lord has placed in my heart a great burden to share the good news of Jesus Christ with my friends and loved ones in the LDS church. This blog was birthed in response to that desire. My prayer is that this blog glorifies and exalts the Lamb of God. I also hope to help the body of Christ understand their LDS friends, their doctrines and culture and hopefully equip them with tools to help minister and witness to them the good news. Please feel free to leave a courteous comment. I would love to hear from you!God bless you!